CN117083181A - Pressure regulating valve with double valve member - Google Patents
Pressure regulating valve with double valve member Download PDFInfo
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- CN117083181A CN117083181A CN202280024128.4A CN202280024128A CN117083181A CN 117083181 A CN117083181 A CN 117083181A CN 202280024128 A CN202280024128 A CN 202280024128A CN 117083181 A CN117083181 A CN 117083181A
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- orifice
- valve
- ink
- pressure regulating
- valve member
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- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 75
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 27
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 238000007639 printing Methods 0.000 claims description 17
- 238000007641 inkjet printing Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000000976 ink Substances 0.000 description 131
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000001276 controlling effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000033228 biological regulation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010146 3D printing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011230 binding agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003086 colorant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008602 contraction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000009977 dual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000001041 dye based ink Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000834 fixative Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000007726 management method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000001042 pigment based ink Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000037452 priming Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010926 purge Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05D—SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
- G05D16/00—Control of fluid pressure
- G05D16/04—Control of fluid pressure without auxiliary power
- G05D16/06—Control of fluid pressure without auxiliary power the sensing element being a flexible membrane, yielding to pressure, e.g. diaphragm, bellows, capsule
- G05D16/063—Control of fluid pressure without auxiliary power the sensing element being a flexible membrane, yielding to pressure, e.g. diaphragm, bellows, capsule the sensing element being a membrane
- G05D16/0644—Control of fluid pressure without auxiliary power the sensing element being a flexible membrane, yielding to pressure, e.g. diaphragm, bellows, capsule the sensing element being a membrane the membrane acting directly on the obturator
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
- B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
- B41J2/17596—Ink pumps, ink valves
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05D—SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
- G05D16/00—Control of fluid pressure
- G05D16/04—Control of fluid pressure without auxiliary power
- G05D16/06—Control of fluid pressure without auxiliary power the sensing element being a flexible membrane, yielding to pressure, e.g. diaphragm, bellows, capsule
- G05D16/063—Control of fluid pressure without auxiliary power the sensing element being a flexible membrane, yielding to pressure, e.g. diaphragm, bellows, capsule the sensing element being a membrane
- G05D16/0644—Control of fluid pressure without auxiliary power the sensing element being a flexible membrane, yielding to pressure, e.g. diaphragm, bellows, capsule the sensing element being a membrane the membrane acting directly on the obturator
- G05D16/0655—Control of fluid pressure without auxiliary power the sensing element being a flexible membrane, yielding to pressure, e.g. diaphragm, bellows, capsule the sensing element being a membrane the membrane acting directly on the obturator using one spring-loaded membrane
- G05D16/0658—Control of fluid pressure without auxiliary power the sensing element being a flexible membrane, yielding to pressure, e.g. diaphragm, bellows, capsule the sensing element being a membrane the membrane acting directly on the obturator using one spring-loaded membrane characterised by the form of the obturator
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05D—SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
- G05D16/00—Control of fluid pressure
- G05D16/04—Control of fluid pressure without auxiliary power
- G05D16/06—Control of fluid pressure without auxiliary power the sensing element being a flexible membrane, yielding to pressure, e.g. diaphragm, bellows, capsule
- G05D16/063—Control of fluid pressure without auxiliary power the sensing element being a flexible membrane, yielding to pressure, e.g. diaphragm, bellows, capsule the sensing element being a membrane
- G05D16/0644—Control of fluid pressure without auxiliary power the sensing element being a flexible membrane, yielding to pressure, e.g. diaphragm, bellows, capsule the sensing element being a membrane the membrane acting directly on the obturator
- G05D16/0655—Control of fluid pressure without auxiliary power the sensing element being a flexible membrane, yielding to pressure, e.g. diaphragm, bellows, capsule the sensing element being a membrane the membrane acting directly on the obturator using one spring-loaded membrane
- G05D16/0661—Control of fluid pressure without auxiliary power the sensing element being a flexible membrane, yielding to pressure, e.g. diaphragm, bellows, capsule the sensing element being a membrane the membrane acting directly on the obturator using one spring-loaded membrane characterised by the loading mechanisms of the membrane
Abstract
A pressure regulating valve for an inkjet printhead is disclosed. The valve includes: a valve inlet connected to the valve outlet; via the flow path; a first orifice positioned in the flow path having a sealable first seat; a movable first valve member configured for sealing engagement with the first seat; a second orifice positioned in the flow path; a movable second valve member configured to regulate a fluid flow rate through the second orifice; a regulated chamber having a valve outlet and comprising a diaphragm operatively connected to the second valve member such that movement of the diaphragm moves the second valve member relative to the second orifice; and a biasing mechanism for resiliently biasing the diaphragm away from the second aperture.
Description
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a pressure regulating valve for controlling pressure at an inkjet printhead. The pressure regulating valve was developed primarily for supplying ink to an inkjet printhead at a relatively constant pressure, as well as reducing the cost of the ink delivery system.
Background
By usingInkjet printers of technology are commercially available for use in many different printing formats, including office at home ("SOHO") printers, label printers, and wide format printers. />Printers typically include one or more fixed inkjet printheads that are user-replaceable. For example, SOHO printers include a single user-replaceable multicolor printhead, high-speed inkjet printers include a plurality of user-replaceable monochrome printheads aligned along the media feed direction, and wide-format printers include a plurality of staggered overlapping user-replaceable printheads so as to span a wide format.
As the number of printheads increases, there may be problems supplying ink to multiple printheads. To maintain a high print quality, each printhead should receive ink from a common ink reservoir at about the same ink pressure.
US10,252,540 describes an ink delivery system suitable for use in a digital inkjet printer having a plurality of printheads, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. This system uses total pressure control in a common ink delivery module and local fine pressure control in each print module containing a corresponding printhead. Because of the high demand for ink flow from multiple inkjet printheads and the need to control the pressure in the positive and negative pressure ink lines, two diaphragm pumps are required to control the ink pressure in the ink delivery module. These diaphragm pumps are necessarily large high quality pumps operating in combination with local electronically controlled pressure regulators in each print module. Accordingly, the ink delivery system is an expensive system because of the high cost of the two diaphragm pumps and electronically controlled pressure regulators in each print module.
For inkjet printing systems with a small number of printing modules (e.g., one or two printing modules), expensive ink delivery modules designed for larger systems are undesirable and add significantly to the overall cost of the system. U.S. application Ser. No. 17/180,401, filed on 19 at 2/2021, describes an ink delivery module suitable for use in an inkjet printing system having a small number of printheads. The ink delivery module uses a low cost air pump in combination with a restrictor as a means of regulating the pressure in an ink supply tank and an ink return tank connected to an ink supply line and an ink return line, respectively.
Passive pressure regulating valves have been proposed as suitable means for controlling ink pressure in inkjet printing systems. For example, US 7,712,880 (to Ma Mjie, science and technology limited (Memjet Technology Ltd)) describes a pressure regulating valve having a diaphragm and a biasing mechanism that cooperate to open and sealingly close the valve member against a valve seat in response to ink pressure changes. US 7,862,138 (to Hewlett-packard-Packard Development Company, l.p.) describes a pressure regulating valve that operates using similar principles: the biasing diaphragm is connected to the valve member via a lever mechanism to sealingly close or open the orifice.
The pressure regulating valve has the advantage of low cost and local pressure control near the print head. However, the valves described in the above prior art suffer from drawbacks in terms of hysteresis caused by sealingly closing and opening the orifice, as well as pressure fluctuations. Furthermore, a high flow rate cannot be easily achieved via the opening and closing valve.
It is therefore desirable to provide a low cost device for regulating ink pressure that ameliorates at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art pressure regulating systems described above.
Summary of The Invention
In a first aspect, there is provided a pressure regulating valve for an inkjet printhead, the valve comprising:
an inlet port;
an outlet port;
a fluid flow path defined between the inlet port and the outlet port;
a first orifice positioned in the flow path, the first orifice having a sealable first seat;
a movable first valve member configured for sealing engagement with the first seat;
a second orifice positioned in the flow path;
a movable second valve member configured to regulate a fluid flow rate through the second orifice;
a regulated chamber having an outlet port and comprising a diaphragm operatively connected to the second valve member such that movement of the diaphragm moves the second valve member relative to the second orifice; and
a biasing mechanism for resiliently biasing the diaphragm away from the second aperture.
An advantage of the pressure regulating valve according to the first aspect is that the fluid flow to the printhead is controlled without the valve member acting as a shut-off valve during idle periods of the printhead. Advantageously, the shut-off function is handled by an actuated (e.g. solenoid actuated) first valve member, while the pressure regulating function is handled by a diaphragm controlled second valve member having no sealing function or shut-off function.
Preferably, the second orifice is located downstream of the first orifice.
Preferably, the first valve member comprises a compliant plug for sealing engagement with the first seat.
Preferably, the first valve member is operatively connected to an actuator (such as a solenoid) for opening and sealingly closing the first orifice. Typically, when the solenoid is de-energized, the first valve member sealingly closes against the first orifice.
Preferably, the biasing mechanism comprises a spring operatively connected to the diaphragm, wherein the spring biases the second valve member towards closing the second orifice.
Preferably, in use, the diaphragm and the spring cooperate to passively control the flow rate through the second orifice. For example, a pressure decrease in the regulated chamber causes the diaphragm to constrict toward the second orifice, tending to move the second valve member toward opening the second orifice. At the same time, the contraction of the diaphragm is counteracted by the bias of the spring, thereby providing passive adjustment of the flow rate through the second orifice via the force balance between the diaphragm and the spring.
Preferably, the second valve member and the second orifice have rigid engagement surfaces. Rigid joining surfaces (e.g., metal, rigid plastic, etc.) are typically non-sealing in order to avoid surface blocking and to avoid causing pressure management hysteresis during use.
Preferably, movement of the diaphragm towards the second orifice progressively opens the second orifice, thereby increasing the flow rate through the second orifice, and movement of the diaphragm away from the second orifice progressively closes the second orifice, thereby decreasing the flow rate through the second orifice. Typically, the second orifice is not completely closed (i.e., closed) during printing.
Preferably, a pressure decrease in the regulated chamber moves the diaphragm towards the second orifice.
Preferably, the outer surface of the second valve member flares away from the diaphragm.
Preferably, the outer surface of the second valve member flares non-linearly.
Preferably, linear movement of the second valve member through the second orifice produces a linear change in the closed area of the second orifice such that the flow rate through the second orifice is linearly proportional to the distance the second valve member moves.
In a related aspect, there is provided an inkjet printer comprising:
a pressure regulating valve as described above;
an ink tank connected to the inlet port; and
an inkjet printhead is connected to the outlet port.
Preferably, the ink tank is positioned at a height above the pressure regulating valve for supplying ink under gravity to the inlet port at positive pressure.
Preferably, the inkjet printhead draws ink negative pressure at the outlet port during printing.
Preferably, a vacuum source connected to the inkjet printhead draws negative pressure at the outlet port during at least some of the non-printing periods.
Preferably, in use, the pressure regulating valve maintains the ink negative pressure at the printhead within a predetermined pressure range.
Preferably, the ink level in the ink tank is at a height h above the orifice 1 A place; the orifice is positioned at a height h relative to the printhead 2 A place; and the back pressure of ink supplied to the printhead is controlled by: h is a 1 、h 2 The position of the valve member relative to the orifice, and the pump speed of a pump connected to the outlet port of the printhead.
In a second aspect, there is provided an ink delivery system for supplying ink to an inkjet printhead at a predetermined back pressure, the ink delivery system comprising:
a pressure regulating valve having a valve outlet connected to the printhead inlet port, the pressure regulating valve having a passive control valve member for controlling the flow rate of ink through the orifice;
an ink tank connected to the valve inlet of the pressure regulating valve, the ink tank positioned above the pressure regulating valve and the printhead, the ink tank having an air vent to atmosphere for supplying ink to the pressure regulating valve under gravity; and
a pump connected to the printhead outlet port,
wherein:
the ink level in the ink tank is at a height h above the orifice 1 A place;
the orifice is positioned at a height h relative to the printhead 2 A place; and the back pressure of ink supplied to the printhead is controlled by: h is a 1 、h 2 The position of the valve member relative to the orifice, and the pump speed of the pump.
Preferably, the pump is connected to the ink tank via an ink return line.
Preferably, the pressure regulating valve includes:
a regulated chamber having a diaphragm operatively connected to the valve member such that movement of the diaphragm moves the valve member relative to the orifice; and
a biasing mechanism for resiliently biasing the diaphragm away from the aperture.
Preferably, the pressure regulating valve is as described above in connection with the first aspect and preferred embodiments thereof.
Preferably, the height h 1 Controlled via one or more ink level sensors cooperating with a refill pump that receives ink from a bulk ink reservoir.
Preferably, the pressure regulating valve is positioned above the printhead. Alternatively, the pressure regulating valve is positioned below the printhead or at the same elevation as the printhead.
In a third aspect, there is provided a pressure regulating valve for an inkjet printhead, the valve comprising:
a valve inlet;
a valve outlet;
a fluid flow path defined between the valve inlet and the valve outlet;
an orifice positioned in the flow path;
a movable valve member configured to regulate a fluid flow rate through the orifice;
a regulated chamber having a valve outlet and comprising a diaphragm operatively connected to the valve member such that movement of the diaphragm moves the valve member relative to the orifice; and
a biasing mechanism for resiliently biasing the diaphragm away from the orifice, wherein the outer surface of the valve member opens non-linearly away from the diaphragm.
Preferably, linear movement of the valve member relative to the orifice produces a linear change in the closed area of the orifice such that the flow rate through the orifice is linearly proportional to the distance the valve member moves.
Preferably, the biasing mechanism comprises a spring operatively connected to the diaphragm, wherein the spring biases the valve member towards the closing orifice.
Preferably, in use, the diaphragm and spring cooperate to passively control the flow rate through the orifice.
Preferably, the valve member and the orifice have rigid engagement surfaces.
Preferably, movement of the diaphragm towards the orifice progressively opens the orifice, thereby increasing the flow rate through the orifice, and movement of the diaphragm away from the orifice progressively closes the orifice, thereby decreasing the flow rate through the orifice.
Preferably, the pressure reduction in the regulated chamber moves the diaphragm towards the orifice.
In a related aspect, there is provided an inkjet printing system comprising a pressure regulating valve as described above in connection with the first aspect.
As used herein, the term "ink" is considered to mean any printing fluid that can be printed from an inkjet printhead. The ink may or may not contain a colorant. Accordingly, the term "ink" may include conventional dye-based or pigment-based inks, infrared inks, fixatives (e.g., pre-coatings and finishes), 3D printing fluids (e.g., binder fluids), functional fluids (e.g., solar inks, sensing inks, etc.), and the like. Where reference is made to a fluid or printing fluid, this is not intended to limit the meaning of "ink" herein.
Drawings
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates an ink delivery system having a single printhead;
FIG. 2 shows an ink delivery system having two printheads;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the pressure regulating valve;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the pressure regulating valve; and
fig. 5 is a side view of a valve member for regulating the flow rate through an orifice.
Detailed Description
Ink delivery system
Referring to fig. 1, an ink delivery system 1 for an inkjet printing system is schematically shown, having a printing module 2 including an inkjet printhead 4. The printhead 4 is typically a user exchangeable page-wide (or "line head") printhead of the type described, for example, in US2011/0279566, US 9,950,527 or US10,717,282, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Ink is fed to the printhead 4 by means of an intermediate ink tank 6 having a supply port 7 connected to a printhead inlet port 8 via an ink supply line 12. The intermediate ink tank 6 has a vent 14 to atmosphere and feeds ink under gravity into the ink supply line 12. The intermediate ink tank 6 may be configured for handling deaerated ink, as described in US10,639,903, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The return port 13 of the intermediate ink tank 6 is connected to the printhead outlet port 16 via an ink return line 18. Thus, the intermediate ink tank 6, the ink supply line 12, the printhead 4, and the ink return line 18 together form a closed fluid circuit. Typically, ink supply line 12 and ink return line 18 are formed from lengths of flexible tubing.
The ink return line 18 has a circulation pump 20 (e.g., a diaphragm pump) downstream of the printhead 4 for circulating ink around the closed fluid circuit.
The closed fluid circuit further comprises: a deaerator 22 downstream of the pump 20 in the ink return line 18 for deaerating the ink; a filter 23 located downstream of the intermediate ink tank 6 in the ink supply line 12 for filtering ink supplied to the printhead 4; and a compliant device 25 located in the ink return line between the printhead outlet 16 and the circulation pump 20 for suppressing ink pressure fluctuations. The filter 23 may be of the type described in, for example, US10,369,802, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, the filter 23 may be integrated into the intermediate ink tank 6, as described in U.S. provisional application No. 62/990,911 filed on even 17 of 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The ink delivery system 1 is designed to circulate ink around a closed fluid circuit during normal printing, through the ink supply line 12 and the ink return line 18 in a clockwise direction as shown in fig. 1. In this way, the ink may be continuously degassed and filtered to maintain optimal print quality by minimizing air bubbles and particles entering the printhead 4.
The ink consumed by the printhead 4 due to normal printing operations or maintenance operations is replenished from a bulk ink reservoir 24 that feeds ink into the return line 18 via an ink refill line 26 having a refill pump 28. Actuation of the refill pump 28 is controlled by feedback from the "high" ink level sensor 27A and the "low" ink level sensor 27B of the intermediate ink 6. Upon sensing that the ink in the intermediate ink tank 6 is at a predetermined "high" level, de-actuating the refill pump 28; and upon sensing that the ink in the intermediate ink tank 6 is at a predetermined "low" level, the refill pump is actuated to replenish the ink in the closed fluid circuit from the bulk ink reservoir 24.
For emptying, isolating and/or replacing the print head 4, the print module 2 comprises a print head shut-off valve 30 at the outlet side of the print head 4 and an air inlet line 32 at the inlet side controlled by an air shut-off valve 34. An upstream pressure regulating valve 50 (described in detail below) is positioned in the ink supply line 12 between the intermediate ink tank 6 and the printing module 2, which upstream pressure regulating valve additionally serves as an ink shut-off valve. Thus, when it is desired to empty the printhead 4 (e.g., to replace the printhead), the pressure regulating valve 50 is closed while the air inlet valve 34 is opened. The circulation pump 20 is actuated to draw air through the printhead 4, thereby removing ink from the internal ink supply channel. After ink is removed from the printhead 4, the outlet shut-off valve 30 is closed, isolating the printhead and allowing the printhead to be cleanly removed and replaced. Typically, when the printing system is not in use, the printhead 4 is also isolated by the shut-off pressure regulator valve 50 and the outlet shut-off valve 30.
For a printhead priming operation, a vacuum cap (not shown) may be used in conjunction with circulation pump 20 to draw ink through the ink supply channels of the printhead and into the nozzles, as described in U.S. application Ser. No. 17/174,090 filed on month 11 of 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Pressure regulation
As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, it is important that the printhead 4 receives ink at a regulated predetermined back pressure for optimal operation. In the event that the ink is too negative pressure, ink trapped inside the inkjet nozzles may be sucked back into the printhead channels, evacuating the printhead; in the event that the ink is too positive pressure, ink may rush from the inkjet nozzles onto the nozzle plate of the printhead.
Gravity fed ink delivery systems such as that described in US10,639,903 have the advantage of passively controlling back pressure. However, it is often inconvenient to position the intermediate ink tank below the printhead. In most inkjet printing systems, this space is occupied by maintenance systems, media feed systems, and the like. In addition, an intermediate ink tank that feeds ink to multiple printheads cannot achieve accurate local pressure control for each printhead.
An advantage of an active pressure control system, such as the one described in US10,252,540, is accurate local pressure control without design restrictions on the positioning of the system components. However, such systems require expensive pumps and sensing circuitry, which may not be economically viable for smaller inkjet printing systems.
The ink delivery system 1 shown in fig. 1 enables local passive adjustment of back pressure in the printhead 4 while employing an intermediate ink tank 6 positioned above the printhead. The back pressure experienced at the printhead 4 is controlled by a combination of: height h of the intermediate ink tank 6 relative to the pressure regulating valve 50 1 Passively controlled flow rate through an orifice in the pressure regulating valve 50, height h of the pressure regulating valve relative to the printhead 4 2 And the pump speed of the downstream pump 20. The pressure regulating valve 50 is a key component of the system, having the following dual functions: passive pressure regulation via relative closure of the orifice; and an ink shut-off valve for isolating the print head 4, the purging operation, and the like.
Furthermore, since the pressure regulating valve 50 is designed as a compact, inexpensive component of the ink delivery system 1, it may be placed in close proximity to the printhead 4 and, in some embodiments, incorporated into the printing module 2, which itself is a replaceable module that contains the replaceable printhead 4. Referring to fig. 2, an ink delivery system comprising two printheads 4 connected in parallel has a corresponding pressure regulating valve 50 for each printhead to provide local pressure control for each printhead from a common intermediate ink reservoir 6. In this way, if the ink demand of one printhead 4 is high relative to the other, both printheads can be maintained at relatively equal ink pressures via operation of the respective pressure regulating valves 50.
The pressure regulating valve 50 will now be described in detail with reference to fig. 3 and 4. The pressure regulating valve 50 includes a valve inlet 52, a valve outlet 54, and a fluid flow path defined between the valve inlet and the valve outlet. The first orifice 56 is positioned downstream of the valve inlet 52 in the flow path. The first orifice 56 has a first seat 58 that is sealable by means of a movable first valve member 60 having a compliant plug 62 configured for sealing engagement with the first seat. As shown in fig. 2, the first valve member 60 is shown in a closed position whereby the compliant plug seals against the first seat 58. Movement of the first valve member 60 away from the first seat (downward as viewed in fig. 2) unseats the valve member from the first seat and opens the first orifice allowing fluid to flow under positive pressure from the valve inlet 52 through the first orifice. Movement of the first valve member 60 between the open and closed positions is controlled by an actuator in the form of a solenoid 66. With solenoid 66 actuated, first valve member 60 moves away from first seat 58 to open first orifice 56; and with solenoid 66 deactuated, first valve member 60 seals against first seat 58 to close first orifice 56. Solenoid 66 operates under the control of a separate controller (not shown) operatively connected to electrical terminals 68. Thus, the first orifice and the first valve member act as a shut-off valve in the ink supply line 12 under the control of the solenoid 66.
The second orifice 70 is positioned downstream of the first orifice 56 in the flow path, the first and second orifices being connected via an intermediate flow passage 72. The second orifice 70 is defined in the base of a regulator chamber 74 that forms an upper portion of the pressure regulator valve 50. The regulated chamber 74 includes a valve outlet 56 positioned in a sidewall thereof and a diaphragm 76 positioned in a top portion thereof. The diaphragm 76 is operatively connected to a second valve member 78 that is slidably movable relative to the second orifice 70 to progressively close or progressively open the second orifice. The second valve member 78 is biased away from the second orifice 70 by means of a spring 80, one end of which is connected to the diaphragm 76 (and the second valve member 78) and the opposite end is connected to a fixed support 82. In the embodiment shown in fig. 1 and 2, the fixed support 82 is an external structure; however, it should be appreciated that a fixed support 82 with one end of the spring 80 attached thereto may be integrated into the top of the regulated chamber 74, with the spring extending through an internal top cavity (not shown).
As the second valve member 78 flares away from the diaphragm 76, movement of the second valve member toward the second orifice 70 (i.e., downward as shown in fig. 4) progressively opens the second orifice, and movement of the second valve member away from the second orifice (i.e., upward as shown in fig. 4) progressively closes the second orifice. As shown in fig. 4, the second aperture 70 is shown in a closed position, wherein the diaphragm 76 is undeflected. However, the second orifice 70 and the second valve member 78 do not function as a shut-off pressure regulating valve 50, but rather serve only to regulate the fluid flow rate through the second orifice. Thus, the second valve member 78 and the second orifice 70 have rigid engagement surfaces that are free of sealing functionality. Typically, the second valve member 78 and the second orifice 70 are formed of metal and/or rigid plastic.
During printing, the first orifice 56 is opened by actuation of the solenoid 66 and the flow rate through the pressure regulating valve 50 is passively controlled by the position of the second valve member 78 relative to the second orifice 70. In the event of a high ink demand, the printhead 4 draws a relatively large negative pressure at the valve outlet 54, thereby reducing the fluid pressure in the regulated chamber 74. This reduced fluid pressure tends to flex diaphragm 76 against the bias of spring 80 toward second orifice 70, thereby increasing the fluid flow rate through the second orifice. Conversely, as the fluid pressure in the regulated chamber 74 increases, the diaphragm flexes away from the second orifice 70, thereby reducing the fluid flow rate through the second orifice. Thus, the ink pressure experienced at the printhead 4 is determined, at least in part, by the balance of forces between the flexing diaphragm 76 and the spring 80.
Advantageously, since the second valve member 78 that controls the ink pressure at the print head 4 does not have a shut-off function, the problem of hysteresis caused by the opening and closing valve and the problem of valve sticking are minimized.
In the preferred embodiment shown in fig. 5, the outer surface of the second valve member 78 flares non-linearly. For example, the second valve member 78 may be generally bell-shaped or trumpet-shaped, whereby its curved outer surface determines the degree of closure of the second orifice 70. In this manner, linear movement of the second valve member 78 relative to the second orifice 70 produces a linear change in the non-enclosed area of the second orifice. The non-closed area of the second orifice 70 is proportional to the flow rate through the second orifice such that the flow rate is linearly proportional to the distance the second valve member 78, e.g., the trumpet shape, moves.
It will of course be understood that the present invention has been described by way of example only and that modifications of detail may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Claims (18)
1. A pressure regulating valve for an inkjet printhead, the valve comprising:
a valve inlet;
a valve outlet;
a fluid flow path defined between the valve inlet and the valve outlet;
a first orifice positioned in the flow path, the first orifice having a sealable first seat;
a movable first valve member configured for sealing engagement with the first seat;
a second orifice positioned in the flow path;
a movable second valve member configured to regulate a fluid flow rate through the second orifice;
a regulated chamber having the valve outlet and comprising a diaphragm operatively connected to the second valve member such that movement of the diaphragm moves the second valve member relative to the second orifice; and
a biasing mechanism for resiliently biasing the diaphragm away from the second aperture.
2. The pressure regulating valve of claim 1, wherein the second orifice is downstream of the first orifice.
3. The pressure regulating valve of claim 1, wherein the first valve member comprises a compliant plug for sealing engagement with the first seat.
4. The pressure regulating valve of claim 1, wherein the first valve member is operatively connected to an actuator for opening and sealingly closing the first orifice.
5. The pressure regulating valve of claim 1, wherein the biasing mechanism comprises a spring operatively connected to the diaphragm, wherein the spring biases the second valve member toward closing the second orifice.
6. The pressure regulating valve of claim 5, wherein in use, the diaphragm and the spring cooperate to passively control flow rate through the second orifice.
7. The pressure regulating valve of claim 1, wherein the second valve member and the second orifice have rigid engagement surfaces.
8. The pressure regulating valve of claim 1, wherein movement of the diaphragm toward the second orifice progressively opens the second orifice to increase the flow rate through the second orifice, and movement of the diaphragm away from the second orifice progressively closes the second orifice to decrease the flow rate through the second orifice.
9. The pressure regulating valve of claim 8, wherein a pressure decrease in the regulating chamber moves the diaphragm toward the second orifice.
10. The pressure regulating valve of claim 8, wherein an outer surface of the second valve member flares away from the diaphragm.
11. The pressure regulating valve of claim 10, wherein an outer surface of the second valve member flares non-linearly.
12. The pressure regulating valve of claim 11, wherein linear movement of the second valve member relative to the second orifice produces a linear change in the closed area of the second orifice such that the flow rate through the second orifice is linearly proportional to the distance the second valve member moves.
13. An inkjet printing system comprising:
the pressure regulating valve of claim 1;
an ink tank connected to the valve inlet;
an inkjet printhead having a printhead inlet port connected to the valve outlet.
14. The inkjet printer of claim 13, wherein the ink tank is positioned at a height above the pressure regulating valve for supplying ink under gravity in a positive pressure toward the valve inlet.
15. The inkjet printer of claim 13, wherein the inkjet printhead draws ink negative pressure at the valve outlet during printing.
16. The inkjet printer of claim 13, wherein a pump or vacuum source connected to the inkjet printhead draws negative pressure at the valve outlet during at least some non-printing periods.
17. An inkjet printer as claimed in claim 13 wherein, in use, the pressure regulating valve maintains the ink negative pressure at the printhead within a predetermined pressure range.
18. The inkjet printer of claim 13, wherein:
the ink in the ink tank is positioned at a height h above the orifice 1 A place;
the orifice is positioned at a height relative to the printheadh 2 A place; and is also provided with
The back pressure of ink supplied to the printhead is controlled by: h is a 1 、h 2 A position of the second valve member relative to the second orifice, and a pump speed of a pump connected to the printhead outlet port.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US202163174988P | 2021-04-14 | 2021-04-14 | |
| US63/174,988 | 2021-04-14 | ||
| PCT/EP2022/055772 WO2022218605A1 (en) | 2021-04-14 | 2022-03-07 | Pressure-regulating valve with dual valve members |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN117083181A true CN117083181A (en) | 2023-11-17 |
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| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN202280024128.4A Pending CN117083181A (en) | 2021-04-14 | 2022-03-07 | Pressure regulating valve with double valve member |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (3) | US11782463B2 (en) |
| EP (1) | EP4277795A1 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN117083181A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU2022256670A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2022218605A1 (en) |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2022218605A1 (en) | 2021-04-14 | 2022-10-20 | Memjet Technology Limited | Pressure-regulating valve with dual valve members |
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| US2920859A (en) * | 1952-06-14 | 1960-01-12 | Bendix Aviat Corp | Balanced valve means |
| JP3875959B2 (en) * | 2003-03-27 | 2007-01-31 | 泰彦 渡辺 | Flow control valve |
| US7021750B2 (en) * | 2003-04-29 | 2006-04-04 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Image forming devices and valves that may be used in image forming devices |
| US7357496B2 (en) | 2005-12-05 | 2008-04-15 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | Inkjet printhead assembly with resilient ink connectors |
| US7431443B2 (en) * | 2005-12-05 | 2008-10-07 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | Ink reservoir with pressure regulating valve |
| US7862138B2 (en) | 2007-10-04 | 2011-01-04 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Flow control in an ink pen |
| US8627846B2 (en) * | 2009-11-06 | 2014-01-14 | Pentair Valves & Controls US LP | Pressure regulator having an integral pilot and self-relieving mechanism |
| TWI513597B (en) | 2010-05-17 | 2015-12-21 | Memjet Technology Ltd | System for coupling fluid supply to printhead |
| US8474786B2 (en) * | 2010-05-24 | 2013-07-02 | Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies, Inc. | Valve stem and valve plug apparatus for use with fluid regulators |
| US8794588B1 (en) * | 2011-08-04 | 2014-08-05 | Metrex Valve Corp. | High pressure actuator regulating valve |
| CN203757101U (en) * | 2012-09-27 | 2014-08-06 | 艾默生过程管理调节技术公司 | Emergency cut-off safety device |
| US9272523B2 (en) * | 2014-04-02 | 2016-03-01 | Memjet Technology Ltd. | Printer configured for optimized printing |
| JP6435806B2 (en) * | 2014-11-20 | 2018-12-12 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | Liquid ejector |
| US10245840B2 (en) | 2016-05-02 | 2019-04-02 | Memjet Technology Ltd. | Ink delivery system with robust compliance |
| TWI715755B (en) | 2016-05-02 | 2021-01-11 | 愛爾蘭商滿捷特科技公司 | Monochrome inkjet printhead configured for high-speed printing |
| TW201838829A (en) | 2017-02-06 | 2018-11-01 | 愛爾蘭商滿捷特科技公司 | Inkjet printhead for full color pagewide printing |
| US10639903B2 (en) | 2017-02-24 | 2020-05-05 | Memjet Technology Limited | Ink regulator tank for use with degassed inks |
| US10369802B2 (en) | 2017-07-10 | 2019-08-06 | Memjet Technology Limited | Ink filter with passive de-aeration |
| AU2021223231B2 (en) * | 2020-02-21 | 2023-09-28 | Memjet Technology Limited | Low-cost ink delivery system for controlling ink pressure |
| JP7424101B2 (en) * | 2020-02-25 | 2024-01-30 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | Pressure adjustment unit, liquid jet head, and liquid jet device |
| WO2022218605A1 (en) | 2021-04-14 | 2022-10-20 | Memjet Technology Limited | Pressure-regulating valve with dual valve members |
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2022
- 2022-03-07 WO PCT/EP2022/055772 patent/WO2022218605A1/en active Application Filing
- 2022-03-07 EP EP22710605.1A patent/EP4277795A1/en active Pending
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- 2022-03-07 CN CN202280024128.4A patent/CN117083181A/en active Pending
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| US11940820B2 (en) | 2024-03-26 |
| US11782463B2 (en) | 2023-10-10 |
| US20220332123A1 (en) | 2022-10-20 |
| US20220332124A1 (en) | 2022-10-20 |
| WO2022218605A1 (en) | 2022-10-20 |
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| US11789473B2 (en) | 2023-10-17 |
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